Tag: Serra

Disturbance leads to cancelation of Long Beach Poly-Serra game

An overflow and unruly crowd led to police in riot gear calling off a HS football game in Southern California

A high school football game in Southern California on Friday was canceled after an overflow crowd created a disturbance that caused police to appear in riot gear.

Long Beach Poly led Serra, 28-14, at the half when the incident occurred.

Per the Daily Breeze:

The game was announced as a sellout, but apparently long lines of fans still arrived and were unable to get into the game, and that apparently set off some incidents in the parking lot.

Eventually, police from several nearby South Bay cities were called to assist, some dressed in riot gear, and a police helicopter was dispatched, delaying the start of the second half. As the halftime clock ended, both teams made their way back out to the field, and waited and waited, as school officials from both teams consulted with the police about the next steps.

The wait lasted approximately an hour before the game was finally canceled. The Gardena police department made the official ruling to cancel the game.

Darius Curry had thrown 3 TD passes in a game that saw a flurry of four scores in the final minutes of the first half.

High school football playoffs: Top 5 matchups of the week

Here are the top-five games on the schedule.

This week, several other Super 25 teams will be lining up across from each other, setting the stage for more playoff drama. Here are the top-five games on the schedule.

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

California: No. 1 St. John Bosco vs. No. 19 Serra

St. John Bosco (12-1)

To get here the Braves beat out the Monarchs in dramatic fashion last Friday night, winning 24-22 after holding off a late rally by Mater Dei. In the end, it was quality line play that won the day for Bosco. On defense, they stood tall in the red zone with several successful goal line stands. Their offensive line also played a key role in crunch time.

Serra (13-0)

Still undefeated on the season, Serra hasn’t really been challenged since back in Week 2, when they defeated De La Salle (Calif.) by a field goal. The Padres have beaten every team they’ve faced since by at least 12 points, including a 41-14 route of Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) last week.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

(PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT)

Florida: No. 4 Central vs. No. 13 American Heritage (12/16)

Central (13-0)

The Rockets began their 2022 campaign with a 20-14 win over IMG Academy (Fla.), getting their journey off on the right foot. That was about as tough as it’s gotten for Central this year. All together, they have beaten seven of their opponents by 30 points or more. Last week they took out Lakewood (Fla.) 39-21 to advance.

American Heritage (13-1)

(USA TODAY Network)

Texas: No. 8 Westlake vs. No. 10 North Shore

Westlake (14-0)

They have some strong competition for the title, but Westlake might be the most-dominant high school football team in the nation this year. Their season began with a 30-point blowout over Ridge Point (Texas) and they haven’t looked back. Along the way, they’ve posted several lopsided wins by scores of 73-7, 66-17, 70-0, 45-0, 70-10 and 58-10. They did it again last week against Brennan (Texas), winning 47-7 on the road.

North Shore (14-0)

While not quite as dominant as Westlake, the Mustangs are also undefeated on the season. They have done it by running up the score on their opponents. They have put up at least 38 points in 12 different games this season. Last week they put up 38 again vs. Atascocita (Texas) in a 31-point landslide.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

(Fiel)

Georgia: No. 20 Carrollton vs. No. 24 Mill Creek

Carrollton (14-0)

If you get to this point in the schedule and you still haven’t lose a game, you’re doing something right. The Trojans won their first game this year against Gadsden City (Ala.) 69-7, setting the tone for a dominant campaign. Carrollton boasts one of the top defenses in the country, holding eight opponents to 14 points or less. They beat Colquitt County (Ga.) on Friday, 35-27.

Mill Creek (13-1)

With the exception of a close call Week 1 against Walton (Ga.) and a 12-point loss to Buford (Ga.) in mid-October, Mill Creek has been rolling over their competition all year. They won their next two games by a combined score of 99-0 and have blown out every other opponent by at least 24 points. Last week they beat Milton (Ga.) 48-14.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

(USA TODAY Network)

Arizona: No. 18 Basha vs. Saguaro

Basha (11-1)

The only team that’s beaten Basha this season is Liberty (Ariz.), a 35-7 blowout back in early October. Since that point their defense has tightened up considerably, not allowing more than 25 points in a single game. It’s getting better with time, too. To get here Basha pitched a shut out against Chandler (Ariz.) in a 13-0 playoff win last weekend.

Saguaro (9-3)

The Sabercats had a shaky start to their 2022 season, losing their first game and three of their first five matchups overall. However, since then they have gone on a tear, winning seven straight games, including a one-point road victory over Liberty on Saturday, 43-42. That avenged a 26-17 loss to Liberty on September 30, which was the last time Saguaro lost a game.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

High School Football Playoffs: 5 major California Sectionals matchups this week

Here are five high-profile matchups we will be keeping an eye on.

We’re talking about the playoffs here at USA TODAY HSS, focusing on several areas with the country’s best high school football teams. While Florida and Texas both have tons of talent, one of the most notable areas—especially in 2022—is California.

And that brings us to the California Sectionals, which begin this weekend.

Here are five high-profile matchups, teams that are currently in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25, we will be keeping an eye on.

Mater Dei (10-0) vs. JSerra Catholic (6-5)

The reigning national champion Monarchs have spent the entire 2022 season at the top of our Super 25 power rankings list, beating all comers – including national powerhouses like Bishop Gorman, Centennial and Bosco.

Their first playoff opponent will be JSerra Catholic, who they beat earlier this season, 21-13. That’s about as tight as anyone has played Mater Dei all year aside from the close call in Week 2 against Gorman. JSerra will need to find an answer for Sophomore wide receiver Marcus Harris, who led the way for Mater Dei – totaling three catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns.

St. John Bosco (9-1) vs. Orange Lutheran (7-4)

Bosco’s only loss this season came against Mater Dei and they managed to keep the margin to 10 points. Otherwise, the Braves have rolled over every single other opponent they’ve faced this year. None of their nine wins came by any less than 27 points.

Meanwhile, Orange Lutheran advanced by the skin of their teeth, defeating Edison on the road by one point last week, 38-37. Sophomore quarterback TJ Lateef threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more.

Centennial (9-1) vs. Mission Viejo (9-1)

Centennial is another team whose only loss this year came against the best in the business. They faced Mater Dei in their third game of the season and lost 43-20. Since then they’ve blown their competition away. In the seven games since, they’ve outscored their opponents 365-71.

Mission Viejo should provide a real test, though. Their only loss came against Long Beach Poly, a 35-30 thriller early in September. Their last two games were won by a combined score of 134-7.

Long Beach Poly (10-0) vs. Los Alamitos (8-2)

It doesn’t get any more dominant than undefeated – which is what the Jackrabbits are coming into the playoffs. Long Beach faced a couple of difficult tests early in the season but lately has absolutely crushed their opponents defensively. Each of the last five teams they’ve faced hasn’t scored a single point against them.

Los Alamitos is on another level compared to those teams, though. Since losing two of their first three games to American Heritage and Basha – both serious national teams – they’ve recovered and gotten better every week. Their most recent victory came against Fountain Valley, who they beat 68-0 two weeks ago.

Serra (10-0) vs. Palma (8-2)

Finally, undefeated Serra from San Mateo will face Palma (Salinas) on Saturday afternoon. Serra is led by Junior quarterback Maealiuaki Smith has thrown 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions this year.

Avoiding turnovers will be key for Palma, who stumbled last week against Salinas, suffering their first loss since their 2022 season opener. Junior QB Thomas Nunes threw three interceptions.

Related:

Follow the postseason action: Watch high school football playoffs live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

California high school football team forced to forfeit win over ineligible player

Serra (Calif.) high school football team forfeits Week 1 win over Notre Dame (Calif.) due to ineligible player.

The Serra (Gardena, Calif.) high school varsity football team has forfeited their victory over Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) from last week.

The Cavaliers won the game 13-7 over the Knights, but it turns out one of their players was ruled ineligible to play, hence the forfeit.

Head coach Scott Altenberg stated that he assumed the player was eligible after going through a mandatory sit-out period after transferring. He is claiming that it was an honest mistake, according to Damian Calhoun at the Daily Breeze.

“We made a mistake… We had communicated with CIF on Thursday (Sept, 29), filled out the paperwork and assumed that was it. We didn’t look (at the transfer page) and didn’t notice it was still pending. It was an honest mistake.”

With the win turned to a loss, Serra is now 3-3 on the season. They are scheduled to visit 5-1 Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.) on Friday.

More Stories:

Mater Dei holds off St. John Bosco, will remain atop USA TODAY Sports Super 25

Live-Stream High School Football:

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How to Watch: The 2022 GEICO ESPN High School Football Showcase games

Here’s the rundown and how to watch each 2022 GEICO ESPN High School Football Showcase game. 

ESPN announced the network’s 11 nationally broadcasted high school games this season, a lineup featuring some of the nation’s finest teams. The 11 matchups combine with the seven Kickoff Games—between Aug. 25-28—to make the entire high school slate in 2022. 

And a few of the teams will most likely end up in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 power rankings, too, so we’re keeping a close eye on each.

Here’s the rundown and how to watch each 2022 GEICO ESPN High School Football Showcase game.